Check out this little trailer for Nikki's free show at Rockwood Music Hall in New York on Sept. 5th. After this clip I really shouldn't have to tell you but you should be there if you can, she'll perform new tracks! - More infos HERE

Assemble Mag recently intervied Lecrae and in the interview he talks about his song "Black Rose" (listen above) and compares it to Lupe's "Bitch Bad."

AM: One thing you’ve done effectively with your music is embrace themes of the confessional and the personal. Some things that are considered taboo in the church and you shed light on some of these things. A song that comes to mind is Black Rose. Who was that song for? Did You have a certain person in mind?

Lecrae: It was a community of people. A community of disenfranchised women who are frowned upon and who are not given love or care. It’s just really like taking a step back and looking at us from a different vantage point.

Like what Lupe just did with his most recent single. Look at how we see women. Look at how twisted our perception of women is and he flipped it on it’s head.

And that’s really one of the things I try to do is to try to flip a lot of these misconceptions on their head and try to look at from a different vantage point. With Black Rose it’s like look at these women that you talk about and you frown upon but no one is willing to reach out and give them a helping hand.

Lupe did a Q&A session with RollingStone in which a few more details about Food & Liquor 2 part 1 were revealed including this line from the song "Put Em Up."

Q: On "Put Em Up," there's a line where you say, "Only Tupac is topping me now." What did you mean by that?

A: I think everyone sees Tupac as an inspiration. "Tupac Back" – I didn't write that song, Rick Ross and Meek Mill wrote that song. Everybody equates themselves to who they feel is the pioneer of their thing, whether it be folk singers that look back to Bob Dylan or reggae people who look back to Bob Marley.

These head figures that had a social and cultural pitch to them – not saying they were saints in any way, but within their genre they did something that transcended their genre. Everybody reveres Tupac. Tupac Shakur is a great man, a great figure, a great person. He's Martin Luther King status. The same admiration I have for Baldwin, I have for Tupac.

Part 2 of Hardknock TV's interview with Lupe starts off with Nick Huff Barili asking Lupe if he has worked with any of the new generation artists like Kendrick Lamar and Blu on Food & Liquor 2.

Lupe responds that he wants to be a fan but not necessarily collaborate cause he doesn't want to taint his vision of them.

Nick continues by asking if Lupe feels he has to sneak in substance into music that plays in a commercial realm. Lupe not only answers that but also goes into misconceptions regarding his last album Lasers and says that the production on F&L 2 will be modern hip hop beats.

They also touch on the subjects of Lupe wanting to retire from the music industry and his interest in teaching, the All City Chess Club, CRS and the album he is going to put out with just Pharrell.

WTF?!?! This would have been so epic! Lupe wanted to have Linkin Park's Chester Bennington on Beautiful Lasers. Check his tweets below:

Lupe x LP fun fact: tried like hell to get Chester on "Beautiful Lasers"!!! Hahaha ...So listen to "Beautiful Lasers" again and in your mind take off MDMA and put Chester there...Awesome right?!? Yeah I know...tell me about it.

Shortly before its US release and after debuting at #1 on the Australian charts last week, we can report that the song is still #1 and it's been certified Gold (over 35k copies sold) just 2 weeks after its release.

After this huge discussion over the Bitch Bad video broke out over the last few days, especially caused through the Spin article, Lupe just took to Twitter and predicted that things might even get worse when the Lamborghini Angels vid comes out:

Damn all this for #BitchBad...might have to to get the bulletproof vest out when #LamborghiniAngels video drops...

Based on the content of the track, the video could definitely be quite the shocker depending on how far they'll really take it. What do you think?

Lupe stops by The Takeover with DJ Reflex at Power 106 LA and discusses his new album "Food and Liquor 2" and his future both musically and personally. Reflex also accuses Lupe of trying to steal his job.

Yesterday, Lupe went on 106 & Park as they premiered "Bitch Bad". Afterwards, he talks about why he feels its neccesary for songs of that nature to exist and the "controversial rapper" label that the media has given him.

Spin Magazine recently wrote an article where they gave their opinion on "Bitch Bad" . In the article, they say that the song and its video are "mansplaining...half-baked conscious hip-pop...muddled, measly-mouthed missive...reckless social commentary...poorly thought-out grab for attention" and claim that Lupe has a "moronic lyrics-over-everything attitude".

Well, Lupe came across the article and he isn't too happy about it. He took to Twitter and encouraged the boycotting of Spin Magazine, stating:

Spin Magazine really be on one...so #BitchBad is "half- baked conscious hip-hop" huh? I see why you call yourself "Spin" cuz that's all u do. To not like an artist soooo much you sure spend an awful lot of time cooking up eloquent garbage about him...stop reaching...it's sad. Sensationalism and half-truth runs the media. Practice real journalism or put fold out boy band posters in your mag and call it a day.

Yeah I think a #SpinMagazineBoycott may be in order...sick of the foolishness.So yeah now you have my undivided and unshakable attention #BoycottSpinMagazine "All that I can stands and I can't stands no more"...

It is there opinion...I agree...and my opinion is #BoycottSpinMagazine So I guess we're even...tshirts coming soon. My dignity and my respect for my art is of more value than a few visits to your website and your measly cover price. Tonight I'm dedicating Radiohead's "Just" to the slow and messy demise of #BoycottSpinMagazine... "You did it to yourself." - Love Thom!

#BoycottSpinMagazine immediately got an overwhelming amount of support from fans and eventually trended in the US. What do you think of Spin Magazine's analysis of "Bitch Bad"? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

Yesterday a listening session for Food & Liquor 2 part 1 went down in NYC and today Kaz from HipHopWired shares 8 Things You Need to Know about the Album and the name of Lupe's final album for Atlantic, "Skulls".

Rejoice, Lupe fans. The kid who made Food & Liquor & The Cool never fell off. The Great American Rap Album Part 1 is a reminder that no matter what he does outside of the booth, inside of it he is in a rare class of his own.

Lyrically, Lupe rises even higher than expected. Sonically, the established chemistry he's made with Soundtrakk over the years is apparent. The sequel to this album, which he says is already 85% finished, is said to be out in late 2012 or 2013 and he feels it is better.

After somespeculation, it seems that the artwork for Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor 2: The Great American Rap Album Part 1 is indeed all black everything!

The album will be available everywhere on September 25th, but you can click HERE to pre-order the album which includes the options of buying the physical CD or a Deluxe/Regular digital version, with free shipping for all purchases.

After debuting the video for "Bitch Bad" on RapFix Live, Lupe sat down with Sway, Frannie Kelley, Sophia Marie, DJ Envy, Nadeska Alexis, and Jamilah Lemieux to discuss the video and its message. They debate the power, or lack thereof, that the word bitch has within modern society. The conversation continues after the jump!

The above picture of a woman applying black makeup onto her face is a still-shot from the upcoming Gil Green directed video for "Bitch Bad". With the music video's premiere only a few hours away, Lupe said of the clip, "Whether right or wrong, some things need to be said in order to start a conversation..".

Immediately following its simultaneous debut through several MTV outlets, Lupe will join Sway and several other people within the music industry to discuss the video and its message. Be sure to tune into RapFix Live today at 4PM ET so you can chime in on the conversation as well!

As far as I'm concerned we have a premiere right here. Battle Scars is the first #1 single Lupe has ever scored. The Guy Sebastian song that features Lu just debuted at #1 on the Australian single charts. -Congrats to that!

Closest non feature single that almost got this far was "The Show Goes On" which peaked on #2 in Australia last year.

After his memorable visit to the RapFix couch last month, Lupe is back at it again. Tune in next Wednesday at 4PM ET when Lupe joins Beanie Siegel and Sway to debut the video to "Bitch Bad". It will be simultaneously premiered on MTV's RapFix Live, MTV Jams, mtvU, MTV2 and MTV Hits, so you definitely don't want to miss it!

In part 1 of his interview with HardknockTV Lupe talks to Nick Huff Barili about his new album Food & Liquor 2: Great American Rap Album Pt.1

He talks about the concept of the album and how he used the book "A People's History of Poverty in America" as a reference point for the album.

Lupe also elaborates about visiting the Native American Reservation Pine Ridge after writing "Around My Way (Freedom Aint Free)", why the focus of his first single should be on the lyrics and not on the Pete Rock controversy, how walking in on his little sister listening to a song inspired the song Bad Bitch, why he posted a disclaimer for Lamborghini Angels and much more.

Having just released Lamborghini Angels, Lupe will keep the ball rolling as we get closer to the album release date.

According to iTunes' Complete My Album, we can expect "Form Follows Function" to be released 2 weeks from now on August 28th. Another 2 weeks after that, a previously unannounced song titled "How Dare You" will drop on September 11th.

Be on the look out for the video to Bitch Bad which should be dropping soon, and of course be ready for Food & Liquor 2: The Great American Rap Album Part 1 to be available everywhere on September 25th!

Side note: We can't confirm yet whether the black box in the picture above is the album cover or just a place-holder at iTunes. But considering the format of the artwork for the singles, we can't count anything out when it comes to Lupe, hahaha!

Now here we go again with another Complex list. Lupe made it to #10 on their list of 30 best rappers in their 30's. Now 10 is not a bad position but if you go a little further up the list, you'll see that Danny Brown, 2 Chainz and Rick Ross are positioned higher than Lupe, which is an indication that once again; Complex can't be serious.

Career Highlights: His debut Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Rap charts and two of his albums are certified gold, he has been nominated for 11 Grammy Awards and won Best Urban/Alternative Performance for "Daydreamin'" featuring Jill Scott, and runs two clothing lines, Righteous Kung-Fu and Trilly & Truly and has designed sneakers for Reebok.

No other rapper has ever been such an intellect in rap and had as much commercial success as Fiasco. Throughout his career, he's been able drop socially aware rhymes without being over preachy and also make a cut a two fit for the radio as well. It's a rare feat. And he's still in his prime.

Not only did he give a lock of his hair to a Twitter follower but Lupe also talked about the origins of it (above) and spoke about paving the way for "skateboard rappers" (below) on Big Boy's Neighborhood.

In a recent interview with Nessa of WiLD 94.9 Lupe expanded on his recent tweets where he shared that he eventually gets a teacher gig soon. Besides that he talked about his Vans deal, DJing, music he listens to, FNL2, Lambo Angels, American Terrorist 2 and more.

Lupe was in New Orleans recently and got a chance to sit down with Mannie Fresh. They talked about his rap alias, dealing with industry politics, the state of Hip Hop and its future.

He also lists a few of his own songs that he personally feels have been the closest to being artistically perfect. He says that the album after Food & Liquor 2, tentatively titled The Cooler, will be made with the intention of having an album full of artistically perfect songs.

Here's the official artwork for Lamborghini Angels which will drop via iTunes next week, on August 14th. Lupe also issued a warning on Twitter:

Warning: if you are easily offended or religiously sensitive DO NOT listen to Lamborghini Angels. Contains very disturbing content. Listener discretion is thoroughly advised.

Side note: the artwork definitely reminds me of one of Lupe's lines from the Angels Remix.. "I see, diamond flooded demons, Lamborghini angels. Halos down with the doors flapping when they came through..."

Here's another part of Lupe's interview with Fuse. In this one he talks about Food & Liquor 2 and tells us what to expect.

Lupe admits that fans might not get into Food & Liquor 2 right away. The album is more of a slow burn, and that's how he intended it: "Once you give it six, seven listens, it really starts to set in. I like layers... like a croissant or something."

In a recent interview with The BoomBox Trip Lee was asked to name a song or artist he heard over the years that really stuck out to him and he had the following to say:

I could think of a dude whose music I think has a lot of creativity, a lot of creative concepts is Lupe Fiasco. He's a dude who's creative, has concepts out-of-this-world. His first album, Food & Liquor, was my favorite one of his.

He has so many songs. He has one called "He Say, She Say." The first verse was a mother talking to the father of her baby basically like, "He wants you to be a father, he's your little boy. You don't even bother." And then the next one was the son saying the same thing. And I think a song like that, man, I really enjoyed it cause he communicates the issue that we all know is there, which is a lot of fatherless sons who don't have their dad around.

He starts to talk about some of the issues he's having at school and stuff and it hits you the first time around when the mom says it to him, and the second time around, same verse, just from the son's perspective and it hits you even more in another way 'cause, well, here's a little boy and he doesn't have his father. Those are the kinds of songs I think, "Man, that's a good concept, I wish I would have thought of that, wish I would have done it." But he killed it and I was appreciative of that song.

Lupe just appeared on the first episode of BakaBoyzTV's Flava Sessions with Nick Vidal. They discussed criticism, going indie, DJing, Ramadan, Fiasco Friday and more.

He said that we can expect some more collabs with Bassnectar soon and revealed that Lamborghini Angels will be released next Tuesday, August 14th. Also, go to 32:50 in the video above to watch Lupe kick a dope freestyle!

Truth Is Scary catches up with Lupe for the 2nd time as he talks about the survival skills his father taught him, the batman shootings, how much power the President really has, Aliens, Ghosts and much more!

The Dew Tour announced their musical lineup set to perform throughout the Pantech Beach Championships, Aug. 16-19 in Ocean City, MD. Lupe will headline the beach on Aug. 17, to close out Friday’s events.

Yesterday Lupe visited the WGCI Coke Lounge in Chicago for an interview. He talked about the backlash he received after his Obama statements, Bitch Bad, the stuff he has on his iPod, MF Doom being his favorite lyricist and more.

We've been reporting about this collabo previously and today Bianca informs us that the song will hit Australian radio tomorrow. Up above you can already get a taste of the track, as Guy is performing it live.

Lupe recently caught up with TheSource.com and IGotIt4Free to speak on his recent tearful moment about his hometown. He also opens up on his upcoming project, Food & Liquor 2, the direction and producers involved.

Lupe was on CSN Chicago's ChiTribLive yesterday and talked about his experiences with baseball, the Bulls, Jordan, Lewis Hamilton and Mike Singletary. He also talked about his upcoming album, his foundation and answered an interesting fan question.